A lesson in wingmanship

A mural by Staff Sgt. Omar, 432nd Wing sensor operator in training, depicts an A-10 Thunderbolt II providing close air support in 2014, at a deployed location. Omar was previously assigned to the 442nd Fighter Wing at Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo. On the left, the twin towers burn next to the words, “we will never forget,” to symbolize the events of Sept. 11, 2001. On the right, Omar depicted one of his wingmen, an Airman holding a battle cross to commemorate fallen soldiers.

CREECH AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. — In the military, members are expected to be physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually fit. This concept is the core factor when developing resilient Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines.

A well-rounded Airman is not only a master of resiliency, but also a good wingman. It is a job that requires commitment 24/7/365 and incorporates the Air Force core values of integrity, service before self, and excellence in all we do.

Wingmanship may seem simple, but it is an indispensable part of the Airman way of life. Historically, the term ‘wingman’ was first used to describe the pattern in which aircraft flew into battle. As the lead aircraft flies in formation, another flies to the right and slightly behind. This second pilot is called the wingman and protects the lead aircraft.

During a seven month deployment to Southeast Asia, Staff Sgt. Omar, 432nd Wing sensor operator-in-training, learned first-hand what it takes to be a good wingman.

“It doesn’t matter what you have going on, the mission always comes first,” said Omar. “Being deployed [in a desert terrain] can be tough. You could be turning wrenches in the extreme heat of the day, working a twelve hour shift when night falls and you’re suddenly working in below-zero conditions, covered in Jet Propellant-8.”

It was during one such experience that Omar found himself in need of a friend.

“War doesn’t take a break,” Omar said. “I was volunteering at a hospital one day when I realized just how serious it was. There was an explosion that shook the whole base. The next thing I knew I was asked to help out in the emergency room.”

The hospital was suddenly thrown into chaos, leaving Omar in unfamiliar territory.

“The whole staff was working hard to administer emergency treatment to the patients,” Omar said. “I was caught in the middle of it somehow, and was able to help by assisting the doctors.”

Omar recalled the injured patients were allied soldiers on a base-defense mission taking a break to hand out supplies to children when a suicide bomber, dressed as an Afghan policeman, detonated among them.

Courtesy photo

Two coalition service members admire a mural painted at a deployed location by Staff Sgt. Omar, 432nd Wing sensor operator in training at Creech Air Force Base, Nev. The painting depicts an A-10 Thunderbolt II providing close air support in 2014. On the left, the twin towers burn next to the words, “we will never forget,” to symbolize the events of Sept. 11, 2001. On the right, Omar depicted one of his wingmen, an Airman holding a battle cross to commemorate fallen soldiers.

Omar assisted in lifesaving attempts, but ultimately five coalition soldiers and more than a dozen civilians and children were lost in the attack.

Returning to work the next day, Omar was left with many mixed emotions as he tried to continue on with his daily duties with help from his wingmen.
“Remembering what I saw, it was tough,” said Omar. “I had to get through it somehow.”

After this trying experience, Omar rekindled his passion for drawing and painting.

“Painting was therapeutic to me,” Omar said. “I wanted to immortalize the feelings I was facing, and give something back to my wingmen who had already given me so much. I had many wonderful wingmen downrange. A wingman can be anybody, not just me…my co-workers were my support system. Even my wife was a wingman to me when I returned.”

Feeling the need to give back, Omar voluntarily created a 20-foot high mural on a concrete force protection barrier at his deployed location. During the project, he overcame multiple obstacles, such as limited art materials and difficulty working with acrylic paints, which dried within seconds of hitting the searing concrete.

Omar recalled that the mural took him three weeks to complete, but was well worth the effort to boost morale of those around him.

“I received recognition for my painting, but my story is just one story,” Omar said. “There are people out there with many stories of what it means to be a good wingman. No matter how different we are, despite who we are, we rely on our wingman during times of deployment and in every day life.”

POPULAR POSTS

PUBLISHER

Published every other Friday, Nellis AFB Desert Lightning News is distributed on Nellis AFB, as well as locations throughout Las Vegas, NV
News and ad copy deadline is later than Monday, 4:30 p.m., the week of desired publication date. The publisher assumes no responsibility for error in ads other than space used.
The appearance of advertising in this publication, including inserts or supplements, does not constitute endorsement by the Department of Defense, U.S. Air Force, U.S. Army, U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps, or Aerotech News and Review, Inc., of the products or services advertised.

POPULAR CATEGORY

LINKS

The Bullseye is published by Aerotech News and Review, a private firm in no way connected with the U.S. Air Force, under exclusive written contract with Nellis Air Force Base, Nev. Contents of the Bullseye are not necessarily the official views of, or endorsed by, the U.S. Government, the Department of Defense or the Department of the Air Force.